Bird & Squirrel on the Run!

July 1, 2012
Burks manages to turn The Odd Couple into an adventure story. The Odd Couple is one of the most important stories in the history of Western culture. Oscar and Felix were archetypes when they were called Bert and Ernie and when they were called the Grasshopper and the Ant. In that tradition, Squirrel is a fussbudget who's afraid of beetles, spiders, running out of acorns and forgetting his toothbrush. Bird isn't afraid of anything and can usually be found flying upside down. The story only works if the characters get on each other's nerves. The problem here is that it works much too well. Bird is more annoying than Bert and Felix put together. Bird never stops talking, even when being chased by an enormous cat. That's the moment when Bird says, "Is it true that dogs are smarter than cats?" Some readers may decide to ignore the dialogue and just look at the pictures, which are so cinematic that you can almost see the cat's whiskers twitching. The character design is astounding. Squirrel's head is shaped like a little acorn (complete with cap), and even the trees look like fractal patterns, spiraling off the page. They say a picture is worth a thousand words; here's one story that would be better with no words at all. (Graphic adventure. 6-10)

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September 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-Bird and Squirrel are unlikely friends. Bird is carefree, reckless, and always looking at the bright side of situations. Squirrel is nervous, pragmatic, and easily frightened. In an apparent homage to Aesop, the story begins with Squirrel anxiously gathering acorns for the winter while Bird flies around without any worries or responsibilities until he discovers that he's being stalked by a malicious cat. Despite the fact that he doesn't want to get involved, he finds himself coming to Bird's assistance and, after Squirrel's acorn trove is destroyed, the pair sets off on a southward adventure to escape the cold of winter and the cat's wrath. On the way, they encounter much comical misfortune and learn important lessons about friendship, teamwork, and enjoying life to its fullest. Young readers will enjoy the dynamic between the quirky duo and the humorous situations (and the clever yet slapstick ways in which they deal with them). The brightly colored panels and cartoon artwork attract the eye and complement the engaging, fast-paced story.-Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Grades 3-6 Bird doesn't mind that all the other birds already flew south for the winter. He'll get there, eventually. This same free-as-a-bird attitude lands him in the path of Squirrel, who loses his entire winter store of acorns while rescuing Bird from Cat. With no other choice, Squirrel sets off with Bird on a road trip south for the winter. Meanwhile, they are, ahem, doggedly pursued by the menacing, mute Cat. He is a danger that stalks through the pages, creating real tension and anxiety for skittish Squirrel and young readers alike. Bird and Squirrel's adventures take them through the forest, over canyons, and even undergroundwhere they meet a rambling, prophesying elderly molebut their greatest tests are of courage and friendship. Bird's relentless optimism is tempered by Squirrel's ceaseless worrying; and Squirrel learns to live by facing death head-on. The easy-to-follow panels offer a great introduction for readers interested in trying their first graphic novel, and the warm, engaging art has the same vibrant energy of a beloved Saturday morning cartoon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)